HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is notifying residents and motorists of repair work to the Paumalu Stream Bridge on Oahu’s North Shore, which is scheduled to begin Monday, May 16, 2016. The Paumalu Stream Bridge on Kamehameha Highway is located between Paumalu Place and Ke Nui Road, near Sunset Beach.

HDOT is working to keep the highway open. However, in order to complete the necessary repairs, construction crews will need to close one lane to traffic from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. In an effort to repair the bridge as quickly as possible weekend, holiday and nighttime closures may also be necessary. The lane closures will alternate between the inbound and outbound lane depending on the construction schedule. The remaining lane will be contraflowed to maintain access over the bridge. Flaggers will be located on both sides of the bridge to ensure safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians.

Crews will construct concrete collars around some columns and also install Acrow Bridge components around the current structure in order to support the existing bridge deck and columns. To expedite the process, work is proposed to occur during nights, weekends and holidays, in addition to normal working hours. Lane closure hours may change depending on construction efforts.

HDOT anticipates lifting the weight restriction and restoring the weight limit to 25 tons in the coming weeks. However, until then the current weight restriction will remain in place and any vehicles weighing more than 15 tons will be turned around and not allowed to cross the bridge. HDOT has placed additional signage and Motor Vehicle Safety Officers in advance of the bridge to ensure compliance. HDOT has made an exception to the load restrictions for City buses, school buses and emergency vehicles responding to a call.

The bridge weight limit was modified as a precautionary measure after inspectors found deterioration on some of the bridge’s concrete support pillars. HDOT is continuing daily inspections to track the condition of the bridge.

The repairs are estimated to be substantially complete by the end of July. Additional follow-up work will not be as invasive to the traveling public and will only require intermittent road closures. Motorists should allow themselves extra time to travel through the area when the highway is contraflowed. HDOT thanks the community for its patience as we make these necessary repairs.